Muffler supporting device



Oct. 11, 1932. E. P. GRAY 1,882,555

MUFFLER SUPPORTING DEVI C E Filed Feb. 27, 1929 IN VEN TOR.

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Patented Get. 11, 1932 start DFFICE nmunr 11 GRAY, or nnrnorr, MICHIGANMUFFLER surronrme DEVICE Application filed February 27, 1929. Serial No.343,205.

device having adjustably mounted clamping means; second, to provide asupporting dev1ce adapted to allow its supported unit to ad]ust itspos1t1on;'th1rd, to provide a muiiler supporting device capable ofdeadening vibrations set up within its supported unit; fourth, toprovide a supporting device hit-V". ing a minimum of parts; fifth, toprovide a supporting device adapted to be manufactured from relativelythin material with a minimum of waste; sixth, to provide a supportindevice capable of being applied to its supported member when saidsupported member is in a vertical, horizontal, or angular position; andseventh, to provide a supporting device having adjustable means capableof being readily removed from its supporting member.

I attain these objects by the mechanism illustrated in the accompanyingdrawing, in which Figure 1 is a side elevation of a mufier supported bymy device; Fig. 2, an end View of a muffler supported by my device; Fig.3, a front elevation of the supporting bracket; Fig. i, a plan View ofthe supporting'bracket; Fig. 5, a side elevation of the supportingbracket; Fig. 6, a front elevation of the adjustable clamp; Fig. 7, aside elevation of the adjustable clamp; and 8, a side elevation of amember, in a vertical position, supported by my device.

Similar numerals refer to similar parts throughout the several views.

In Figs. 1 and 2, my device is disclosed as supporting a muffler 1connected, by the exhaust pipe 2, with an internal combustion engine(not shown). The bracket 3 may be fastened to the frame member iby meansof the bolts 5 and nuts 6. The bracket 8 may be easily made, if desired,from sheet material, thus lending itself to simple and economicalformation. The bracket 3 is provided with a curved seat 7 having aretaining shoulder 8. The retaining shoulder 8 may be blanked from sheetmaterial in such manner as to result in the notch 9 being formed in theflange 10 of the bracket 3 as each bracket 3 progresses through itsblanking and forming die equipment, thus resulting in practically nowaste material.

The clamp 11 may be formed of relatively thin sheet or strip material ofthe desired width fit on the curved seat 7 of the bracket 3, the clamp11 being prevented from separating from the bracket 3 by the retainingshoulder 8 and the flange 10. It is to be noted that the clamp 11 isvery easily and readily removed from the seat 7 on the bracket 3.

This is a distinct advantage for assembling purposes as the bracket 3may then be permanently fastened to its supporting member such asdesignated by 4. The clamp 11 is preferably made circular in shape tofit a mufiier or member having a circular shape,

thus allowing practically any of its length to be placed on the curvedseat 7 of the bracket 3. However, it is to be understood that the clamp3 may be constructed, if desired,

with varying shapes, throughout a portion of its length, to facilitateattachment to supported members of varying shapes.

The clamp 11 is provided with extensions r lugs 12, through which passthe clamping bolt 13 which, together with the nut 14, provide means fordrawing the clamp 11 tightly around the muffler 1, or anydesired memberto be supported, thus clamping the mufiler 1 against the curved seat 15of the bracket 3 r' and, at the same time, drawmg theclamp 11 on tothe'curved seat 7 of the bracket 3. The extensions or lugs 12, of theclamp 11, may have a portion of their open ends 12 folded "to providegreater strength to oppose the clamping action of the bolt 13.

In Fig. 8 mufiler or member 16 is disclosed, in a vertical position, andsupported therein by my device, said device being attached to the member17. VVhe-n used in this manner the brackets 3 are formed with a suitableflange 18 to fit any desired member.

The muflier 1 in Figs. land 2 is of the usual hollow construction and isprovided with an outlet member 19 and an inlet member 20, t 1e inletmember 20 being connected by the exhaust pipe 2 to an internalcombustion engine (not shown). The extended use of rubber or flexiblemountings for engines when used in motor vehicles or units has resultedin serious damage, in many instances, to the mufiier as ordinarilyinstalled therewith. The slight or severe movement of an engine, whensecured on a rubber or flexible mounting, tends to cause, through itsexhaust member connected with the muftler, a distortion of the mufflerfromits nominal sup-. ported position. This distortion of the mu't flertends to crystallize portions of the exhaust member or membersconnecting the engine with the muflier. This injurious result isprevented by my device allowing the muffler 1 to slightly move in itssupported position. This slight movement, of the muliler 1, isaccomplished by the clamp 11 and the mutller 1 being seated on thecurved seats 7 ant 15 of th bracket 3: This slight movement of themuilier 1 can be further made possible by constructing the bracket 3 andclamp ll of the necessary thickness as to allow slight flexing thereinwithout endangering their tensile or supporting strength. Thus theallowance of movement of the supported muiiler or member, by my device,will allow the muflier 1 to be moved slightly by the forces imposedthereon by the engine and the members connecting the engine with themufiier, as said engine and said members move on their flexible supportsor mountings.

It is to be further pointed out that any number of clamps 11 andbrackets 3 may be used in supporting a desired object or memher. Thisisof distinct advantage if a long object or member, requiring supportsat several points throughout its length, is used as thereby the severalclamps and brackets may all be alike or similar in size. With the usualmuffler clamp as fastened around the inlet member 20 and the outletmember 19, when it is desired to add support devices at variousintervals, a great-er number of diflerent clamps and brackets will berequired than would be necessary when my supporting device is used asthe number of supporting devices at various points may be increased asdesired without introducing new sizes and shapes, this being due to mysupporting device attaching to the uniform outside diameter of themuffler or member to be supported.

Another distinct advantage of my supporting device is apparent whensupporting 1101- low mufliers or members connected with an engine inmotor vehicles or units. The operation of the motor will set upvibrations, with consequent objectionable resonance sounds, in

hollow muiflers or members and my supporting device will deaden andeliminate such objectionable resonance sounds. This is accomplished bythe clamp 11 circumferentially compressing and binding the hollow bodyof being provided with a pair of flanges oppositely disposed about thecircular wall portion of said bracket, one only of said flanges of saidbracket being provided with openings for attaching purposes, the otherflange of said bracket having a lesser length than said flange providedwith openings for attaching purposes, and a clamping member surroundingthe circular wall portion of said bracket to gether with the circularmember to be supported, said clamping member being adapted to be movedonly over said flangeof lesser length when said bracket is in itsattached position, the assembly of said clamping member being therebyfacilitated.

2. In a supporting device, the combination of a bracket provided with acircular wall portion adapted to contact a circular member to besupported by said bracket, said bracket being provided with a pair offlanges oppositely disposed about the circular wall portion of saidbracket, said pair of flanges being further oppositely disposed,relative to the circular wall portion of said bracket, from the circularmember to be supported, one only of said pair of flanges being providedwith openings for attaching said bracket, and a clamping membersurrounding the circular wall portion of said bracket together with thecircular member to be supported, said clamping member being locatedadjacent the outer end of one of the pair-of flanges of said bracket.

EMMET P. GRAY.

